Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Shaw than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shaw gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Shaw faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Shaw’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shaw, and Shaw’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shaw’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Shaw: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shaw flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shaw, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Shaw isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bolivar County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shaw
Disasters that paid out in Shaw itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shaw), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm428 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$4K to the City of Shaw for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding104 households applied for aid$146K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$19K to the City of Shaw for repairs
Bolivar County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Shaw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shaw archive →Get ready for what Shaw faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Shaw
Is Shaw at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shaw has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shaw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Shaw since 1979, $24K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Shaw in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Bolivar County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shaw?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shaw’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Shaw?
By FEMA money that reached Shaw, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 428 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $4K to the City of Shaw for repairs.
Is Shaw at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Shaw’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shaw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shaw’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.